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Court adjourns trial of Ansaru commanders until Nov. 19

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned the trial of the two Ansaru leaders; Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, until Nov. 19 for continuation of trial on alleged terrorism charges.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case following the absence of counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Abubakar, in court.

‎The DSS lawyer had, in a letter to the registrar of the court, apologised for his inability to be in court and sought an adjournment to enable him be in court on the next adjourned date to conduct the trial.

Counsel to the defence did not oppose the application and Justice Nwite subsequently fixed Nov. 19 for the trial of the two defendants.

The judge had, on Sept. 11, convicted and sentenced Usman, a.k.a Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar, to 15 years imprisonment for illegal mining.

The development was after Usman pleaded guilty to count 10 of the 32-count terrorism charge preferred against him and his deputy commander, Abba, a.k.a Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri.

Usman and Abba, in count 10, were alleged to have, sometimes between 2015 and 2025 committed the illegal mining offence.

They were accused to have mined precious minerals such as thunder and california stones without lawful authority.

The offence, according to the Federal Government, is contrary to and punishable under Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, LFN 2004, and punishable under the same Section of the Act.

Although Usman pleaded guilty to count 10, Abba, who is a deputy commander of the terrorist group, did not when the whole counts were read to them.

The two top leaders of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda affiliated network, were recently arraigned before Justice Nwite.

Usman and Abba, popularly called Mallam Mamuda, were arraigned on 32-count charge bordering on terrorism and others.

While Usman is the 1st defendant, Abba is the 2nd defendant in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025.

The charge is dated and filed on Sept. 4 by Mr Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

In count, Usman who hails from Okene Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi and Abba from Daura LGA of Katsina State were alleged to have aided and abetted the acts of terrorism sometimes between 2013 and 2015.

They were accused of conspiring amongst themselves and agreeing to be part of the formation and top commanders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (a.k.a. JAMBS/Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

In counts three and four, they were accused of receiving training in weapons handling and training on the fabrication of Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) from various terrorist camps.

In count five, they were accused of an act preparatory to acts of terrorism by receiving training on war tactics from Jama’atu Nusratil Islami Wal Muslimin, a.k.a. JNIM, a terrorist group in Mali.

In count seven, they were accused of contributing to the attack on Wawa Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in Kainji, New-Bussa, Borgu LGA of Niger sometimes in 2022 resulting in mass causalities, among the 32 counts.

Following their not guilty plea, the judge had ordered them to be remanded at the DSS facility in Abuja, pending the conclusion of the trial.

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Tompolo denies issuing 21-Day ultimatum to FG over Kanu release

High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has disowned a social media publication claiming he gave the Federal Government 21 days to release Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement signed by his Media Consultant, Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo said he has nothing to do with the matter and described the publication as false and mischievous, alleging it was the handiwork of his enemies determined to discredit him over his ongoing fight against illegal crude oil activities in the Niger Delta region.

The statement further reaffirmed Tompolo’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his support for the President’s renewed hope agenda. It added that Tompolo remains committed to the total eradication of illegal oil activities and stands firmly behind President Tinubu’s administration and second-term ambition.

“The Federal Government and the general public should disregard the said publication in its entirety. High Chief Government Ekpemupolo has nothing to do with the issue of Nnamdi Kanu and remains focused on his duties in protecting the nation’s oil assets.”

The statement concludes by urging Nigerians to ignore fake news aimed at causing division or mischief within the Niger Delta region

THN reported that the self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, was unable to begin his defence on Friday in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu told the court he could not proceed because he had not been given access to the case file, which he said is necessary for him to adequately prepare his defence.

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NDLEA uncovers UK-bound cocaine in cream containers, meth in water heater

…..Raids Lagos night club over drug party, arrests owner, Pretty Mike, others; Mosotho with ice in coffee tea pack at Enugu airport; 75-year-old grandpa in Abia; female distributor of Loud in Lekki, Ikoyi, VI and environs

A total of 70 parcels of cocaine factory packed in walls of cocoa butter formula body cream containers heading to London, United Kingdom have been uncovered at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with three suspects arrested in series of follow-up operations across Lagos.

The cocaine consignments weighing 3.60 kilograms were discovered on 14th October 2025 during examination of cargoes packaged as personal effects going to London, UK on an Air Peace flight. A cargo agent Lawal Mustapha Olakunle who presented the consignment for airfreight was promptly arrested while investigations stretching into two weeks led to the arrest of two principal suspects linked to the attempt to export the concealed Class A drug to the UK.
In a follow up operation on 18th October, a female healthcare worker Ogunmuyide Taiwo Deborah was arrested following which Mutiu Adebayo Adebiyi, the Chief Executive Officer of a travel agency, Mutiu Adebiyi & Co, was arrested at his 23 Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA Lagos office on Monday 20th October.

In a similar development, attempt by a 35-year-old Lesotho national Lemena Mark to export 103.59 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a diabeta herbs coffee tea pack to the Philippines on an Ethiopian airlines flight from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu on Wednesday 22nd October was thwarted by NDLEA officers who arrested him and recovered the illicit drug.

No fewer than 21,950 capsules of tramadol 250mg concealed inside a 100-litre water heater were recovered from a suspect Umar Abubakar, 40, who was arrested by NDLEA operatives at Bode Saadu, Morro local government area of Kwara state following credible intelligence on Tuesday 21st October.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives in the early hours of Sunday 26th October raided Proxy Night club at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island where a drug party was going on. Over 100 suspects including the owner of the club Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu alias Pretty Mike, were arrested and taken into custody for screening. Cartons of illicit substances including Loud, and laughing gas, were recovered from suspects at the party and the club’s store.

The raid followed intelligence about the drug party. NDLEA operatives who were embedded in the party between 11pm on Saturday 25th October however disrupted the gathering at 3am on Sunday 26th October based on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
In Taraba, the duo of Auwal Musa, 26, and Salihu Bala, 22, were on Tuesday 21st October arrested with 450,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 at Dan-anacha checkpoint while conveying the consignment in a truck loaded with building materials from Onitsha, Anambra state to Mubi, Adamawa state.

While NDLEA officers on patrol along Okene/Lokoja highway, Kogi state seized 162.200kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, from a truck on Friday 24th October, operatives in Nasarawa state on Wednesday 22nd October recovered 128kg of same psychoactive substance from a suspect, Abubakar Muhammad, 55, in Keffi area of the state.

A mother of two Oyonumoh Glory Effiong who is a major distributor of Canadian and California Loud, both strong strains of cannabis in Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and VGC areas of Lagos have been arrested by NDLEA operatives on Friday 17th October
during a raid at her Lekki home where 500 grams of the illicit substances were recovered.
In Ikorodu area of Lagos, NDLEA officers on Thursday 23rd October raided the home of a suspect Ogunyabo Adenigbigbe at Solomade estate where 275 litres of skuchies, a new psychoactive substance produced with black currant drink, cannabis and opioids, were recovered.

A 75-year-old grandpa Echendu Onuoka was on Wednesday 22nd October arrested at Ovum village, Obingwa LGA, Abia state with 4.7kg skunk seized from him while a 60-year-old grandma Aukana John was nabbed with 225 grams of same substance at Apanta village, in the same LGA.
While 150kg skunk was recovered during a raid operation at Lot camp, Ikun Akoko, Ondo state, two suspects: Bashir Mohammad, 50, and Samini Ahmed Tijjani, 35, were nabbed with 234.5kg of same substance at Yan aya , Saminaka in Lere LGA, Kaduna on Friday 24th October just as another set of suspects: Isah Usman, 50, and Salvation Okoler, 18, were arrested with 8,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and rohypnol along Abuja/Kaduna highway.
At the Seme border area of Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 22nd October nabbed Jacob Ojugbele with 55kg skunk at Ashipa area of Badagry while Amusa Oluwabukola was arrested with 121.3 litres of skuchies at Itoga Badagry.
In Zamfara state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Gummi-Anka road on Monday 20th October arrested a suspect Abubakar Ibrahim, 30, in possession of AK 47 riffle and 1,746 assorted calibres of ammunition, for AK 47 and GPMG rifles while moving them from Sokoto to Bagega forest, Anka LGA, Zamfara. Both the suspect and the exhibits have since been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Asabari Grammar School, Iluwa Isale Oke, Saki West LGA, Oyo; Government Day Girls Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi; St. Mark’s College, Nsude, Enugu; Kusaki Secondary School, Gboko North, Benue; Government Day Secondary School, Serti- Baruwa, Gashaka LGA, Taraba; Police Children School 2, Port Harcourt, Rivers and Hajara Ahmad International School, Tudun Wada, Kano state, among others.
While commending the officers and men of MMIA, AIIA, Lagos, Kwara, Abia, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ondo, Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Seme and Zamfara Commands for the arrests, and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

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Police Service Commission mourns death of dedicated DPO, CSP Matilda Ngbaronye

​The Police Service Commission (PSC) is engulfed in sorrow following the sudden and untimely death of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Matilda Ngbaronye, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of a key division in Lagos.

CSP Ngbaronye reportedly passed away on Friday after complications arose from a surgery she underwent at a private hospital in the state.

​The news was officially conveyed in a Sunday statement released by Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations for the Commission.

The statement captured the deep sense of loss felt across the police force and the PSC, emphasizing the profound impact of Ngbaronye’s service.

​The Chairman of the Commission, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu (Rtd.), expressed his heartfelt shock and grief over the devastating news.

In his tribute, DIG Argungu praised the late officer’s dedication, describing her as a “committed and hardworking Police Officer who was devoted to the service of the Nigeria Police Force.”

This description highlights the high regard in which Ngbaronye was held by the Commission’s leadership and speaks volumes about her exemplary conduct throughout her career.

​CSP Ngbaronye’s passing leaves a void in the command structure of the Lagos State Police Command, where she was known for her effective leadership and commitment to maintaining law and order.

Divisional Police Officers hold crucial roles, serving as the primary link between the police force and the communities they serve.

Their day-to-day work is vital for crime prevention, swift response to emergencies, and fostering community trust.

Ngbaronye’s reported diligence in this role marks her as a dedicated public servant whose life was committed to the security and peace of the nation.

​While the statement from the PSC focuses on the tribute, the circumstances of her death following an unsuccessful surgery at a private facility add a layer of tragedy to the event.

This detail implicitly raises questions and highlights the vulnerability of officers who dedicate their lives to public service.

​The entire Police Service Commission, under the leadership of DIG Argungu, extends its deepest condolences to the family of CSP Ngbaronye, her colleagues, and the entire Nigeria Police Force.

The PSC’s tribute serves not just as a formal acknowledgement of her death, but as a sincere farewell to an officer who exemplified the qualities of commitment and hard work that the force strives to uphold.

Her memory, as a devoted and hardworking officer, will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration to her peers and subordinates.

The PSC prays for the repose of her soul and for the family to find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

​The final words of the Commission’s release reflect a somber realization that a valued member of the service has been lost too soon, underscoring the human cost of dedicated service to the nation.

CSP Ngbaronye’s legacy will endure through the positive impact she made during her time as a Divisional Police Officer.

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